Eircom League - Shamrock vs Cobh Ramblers Football betting preview

Shamrock Rovers, last season 5th in the championship is struggling a lot this season, something known as a "2nd season syndrome". Since they've came back from First Division they had some of the best results in recent years, therefor they had great expectations for this season as well. However, current situation is quite different and they are only five points above relegation line (with game in hand). Aims changed in the meantime and now their only aim is to avoid relegation fight in later stages and acquire safe mid-table position. I must say here that their performances weren't that bad, they had big injury problems (with six-seven players constantly absent). Season break came just in time under that conditions and most of the players recovered. For this match they will miss only less important midfielders Creevy and Martin, who is lost until the end of the season. Regular defender Barry Ferguson is suspended. They have every right to be optimistic after they've recorded first win since March in their only game after break (3:1, vs Galway).

Cobh is also living dangerous life, and they can't be explained with injury problems. Yes, they had some injured players, but not as near as Shamrock and overall impression about them isn't really the best. They've picked most of their points in home where they look quite good, but when they are on the road it's totally different story. So far they've managed only to beat Galways away who are in big problems and lost all other away games. Their away record is really bad with W1-D0-L7 3:16. Worst away record in league since i remember. To make things brighter for them, they've signed some new players in last few days, also released some others and the team is pretty mixed up. Their best scorer Kevin Murray (scored four of their seven goals) is back after suspension, same as midfielder Michael Mulconry, but there are more bad news. Extraordinary General Meeting is scheduled for this weekend, seems like chairman Barry Walsh and few other directors of the club will be voted out from the club and seems like there are big internal problems. Here is his statement:

“There are people (within the club) who say that it’s not viable for Cobh to survive in the League of Ireland. People want to go back to what they had pre-1985. They are a small minority but they have been there all the time.

“They want to go back to the good old days when they didn’t have to pay players and the club was theirs and they did what they liked with it. These people reckon they own the club. They can’t understand why we should be paying players and can’t comprehend the fact that we’re in the Premier Division.”

Cobh is one of the smallest clubs in Premier Division, they don't have big funds and they don't need problems like this. It could escalate into incredible problems for them, and with players mind focused on General Meeting i don't see them being fully concentrated on the tonights match.

To conclude, Shamrock is finally rising their form, they have almost full team and their problems are gone now. They will face weak team, team that has internal problems (i forgot to mention that players aren't being paid on regular basis). Cobh has almost "new" team, many players came, some left and they will need time to get used to each other. Perfect chance for Shamrock to win here and close the gap between them and teams in the middle of the table. Cobh should be satisfied if they get draw here, which isn't likely to happen

Pick : Shamrock (-1)
Odds : 1.95
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Bet365
Match Result : 0-0
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://scythe.blogabet.com/